Coach Azzopardi dismisses Blues' title credentials

Down and out. After Sliema Wanderers, for the umpteenth time this season, had miserably failed to vindicate their title credentials when going down 2-0 to Valletta, coach Stephen Azzopardi conceded that his team's challenge was as good as over when addressing reporters at the National Stadium.

Saturday's tiff with Valletta was widely perceived as Sliema's last chance to stay in the hunt as they started the match six points adrift of the Citizens. A tight first half suggested that the Blues were up for it but after Frank Temile propelled City in front just before the break, the Wanderers were distinctly second best to their opponents for the rest of the match.

Sliema's spineless display after the change of ends triggered a damning assessment by coach Azzopardi.

"Today's game showed that this team doesn't have the potential to win the championship," he declared.

"At the start of the season, I thought that Sliema had enough talent to challenge but as time passed, it became clear that this squad has certain weaknesses. Over the past few months, we have tried to compensate for the team's deficiencies but it was not enough. I can't fault the players for commitment but this team lacks cohesion."

Although visibly distraught, Azzopardi had no qualms about the outcome of Saturday's game.

"In the first half, we matched Valletta and there were times when we enjoyed territorial supremacy but then we were beaten hands down," Azzopardi remarked. "Valletta are reaping the rewards of their work in the last few years."

Given that only a victory would have suited Sliema, many expected the Blues to cast caution to the wind after Valletta seized the lead but their reaction was sterile. The introduction of two players with defensive qualities, Ian Ciantar and Branko Nisevic, for Roderick Bajada and Andre Rocha Da Silva, was met with a few raised eyebrows but Azzopardi defended his decision.

"There's a difference between a coach's interpretation of a player's performance and that of those watching the game from the stands," Azzopardi said. "In the second half, we were allowing Valletta too much space and that shouldn't have happened.

"Certain players were not doing what was expected of them tactically and that's why we made the changes. Our choice was limited because we didn't have one pure forward for this match with Ivan Woods and Etienne Barbara suspended."

Woods's absence was enforced by a one-match ban for a red card in the previous match while Barbara was serving the second of a two-match suspension imposed by the club for indiscipline.

Sliema's struggles to keep up the pace have been blamed on a lack of teamwork, underperforming players and an ageing squad. When it was put to Azzopardi that Sliema should blood more youngsters in their first team, he countered by pointing to the number of young players in Saturday's line-up.

"We had many young players out there like goalkeeper Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Julian Vella, Mark Scerri, who had an exceptional game, Matthew Bartolo and Roderick Bajada," Azzopardi said.

"But you've got to have balance in the team and the older players can still give a valid contribution. On the evidence of their performance today, I would say that Valletta are 90 per cent favourites to win the league."

Azzopardi's endorsement of Valletta's qualities will have pleased City coach Paul Zammit who provided a typically expansive insight into his team's march.

"Before the Championship Pool, I described the last 10 league matches as 10 finals but we had to adopt a game-by-game approach," Zammit said.

"There are games which carry more weight than others and this one against Sliema was one of them. Everyone was saying that this was Sliema's last chance but I was only concerned about our objectives.

"The past few weeks have increased the pressure on our squad, moreso because Marsaxlokk have been involved in early kick-offs.

"Psychologically, this left an effect on us because Marsaxlokk are also in the race for the title. When they won, we had to do the same to go back top and when they lost, we were also under pressure to take the three points as they were ahead of us in the standings at the time.

"It's been a hard campaign but with the backing of the committee and the fans, we've managed to stay in contention. Now, I am convinced that we can sustain our challenge.

"Our level of performance has dropped slightly since the start of the Championship Pool but this was something I expected. These are all high-pressure games and we need not forget that we have various inexperienced players in the first team, the likes of Andrew Hogg, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina and Frank Temile. Gilbert Agius and David Camilleri are the only veterans in our team."

Zammit identified tactical discipline as the qualities behind Valletta's win over Sliema.

"Sound tactical organisation and patience were central to our win," the Valletta coach remarked. "I also think that we were somewhat erratic in our finishing. We should have wrapped up the points much earlier in my opinion."

Stronger force - Sciriha

Victor Sciriha, the Valletta president, is relishing the prospect of leading the club from the capital to league glory in his first year at the helm and has already pledged more transfer funds to make the team stronger in the next few years.

"We knew that we had a valid squad this season," a beaming Sciriha said.

"When the team went through a sticky patch early in the season, critics took Valletta to task because more was expected from us after signing a number of players in the close season. There was also speculation that the coach could lose his job but we knew what we were doing.

"The victory over Sliema confirmed the potential of this squad. The performance, especially in the second half, was excellent. The signs are encouraging."

"The squad will be strengthened next season," Sciriha added. "When I became president of Valletta FC, I began to work on a three-year plan to restore the club to its former glory and the results are coming. In the next few years, Valletta will become stronger and among the biggest forces in the league."

Sciriha has already delivered on his promise to make Marsaxlokk, his former club, one of the strongest teams in Maltese football but he may come to regret splashing a significant portion of his wealth on the southerners if the latter were to pip Valletta to the title.

Asked if he sees Marsaxlokk as the greatest threat to Valletta's title bid, Sciriha said: "Marsaxlokk, the team I helped to build, have shown that they are well-equipped to challenge for the title. I regard them as our main rivals but Birkirkara also have an outside chance.

"Our direct clash next weekend is very important. The winner of this match will make a significant step in the title race."